Strahan

Strahan is the iconic Tasmanian experience. Strahan's main street is an attractive terrace of nineteenth-century buildings facing the majestic waters of Macquarie harbour. In winter it can be a sleepy fishing village but for the greater part of the year, Strahan is the place to be seen and abuzz with tourism activity.

Strahan offers the best of the west coast's secrets:

Fly by plane or helicopter over World Heritage Wilderness

Cruise the Gordon River

Sail or canoe around Macquarie Harbour

Shop for wonderful bowls and platters and other artifacts made with loving care from Huon pine and native timbers

Visit Ocean beach, see muttonbirds, whales, dolphins and seals

Enjoy the best and freshest Tasmanian seafood available

Book your Cradle Mountain adventure

Enjoy an hilarious live performance of 'The Ship that Never Was' at the amphitheatre.

World Heritage Cruises - departs daily 9am - Book a World Heritage Cruise
Gordon River Cruises - departs daily at 8.30am - Book a Gordon River CruiseBoth companies operate afternoon cruises seasonally. Enquire at the booking office or West Coast Visitor Information Centre.

West Coast Wilderness Railway
The original steam railway from Strahan to Queenstown has been restored for an exhilarating journey through dense rainforest and past cavernous gorges, rushing rivers and toy-town stations. At present the train is not running from Strahan to Queenstown, it runs a return trip from Queenstown to Dubbil Barril and takes 4 hours and the full trip from Strahan to Queenstown return. Please check when making your booking.

Henty Dunes
Located 11 km north of Strahan (on the Zeehan road) is Henty Dunes. A mass of sand dunes, ideal for walking or Tobogganing - Toboggans can be hired from various places in Strahan. More...

Hogarth Falls
Located in Peoples Park, an easy relaxed 40 minute walk along almost level track. Along your walk you may see platypus feeding but you will have to be very quiet, dusk is the best time to spot them. More...

Ocean Beach
The longest beach in Tasmania stretching for over 30km, Ocean Beach is home to Mutton Birds which fly here in December staying until mid-February. During summer at dusk you can watch as they fly back from feeding over the ocean with a free Parks and Wildlife tour. It is also infamous for whale strandings. Turn off is located on the highway minutes out of Strahan. More...

Strahan Golf Course
Nine hole, flat course for easy walking close to the centre of Strahan. The clubhouse bar is open from 4pm every day except Christmas Day. There are men's and women's competitions at various times. Clubs are available for hire. More...

Strahan Seaplanes & Helicopters
A choice of either a Seaplane which lands on the Gordon River, aeroplane or helicopter over Cradle Mountain and other sights. Flights can take from 15 minutes up to 1 hour and 20 minutes. All flights are seasonal and subject to weather. Closed Christmas Day. More...

The Ship That Never Was
Live professional theatre production based on a real event in 1843. Dramatic and hilarious true story. The show goes for approx. 1 hour and is on everyday at 5.30pm, the production closes for winter from June to end of August. Next to the West Coast Visitor Information Centre, The Esplanade, Strahan. Tel: (03) 6471 7700. More...

West Coast Yacht Charters
Lunchtime cruises, day cruises and overnight cruises through the World Heritage Area. Closed Christmas Day. More...

Strahan's history is reflective of the history of Tasmania itself. For tens of thousands of years Aboriginals lived here alone gathering along the harbour to fish and camp.

In 1815 Macquarie Harbour was discovered by the whaler/adventurer, Captain James Kelly.

In 1822 a harsh convict settlement was established outside Strahan on Sarah Island, with boat-building as the convicts' principal occupation, using the abundant Huon pine that continued to attract timber workers even after the penal colony was officially closed in 1833.

By the turn of the century, Strahan had become a major port servicing the inland mines of the west coast, but the population declined to just a few hundred after the facility ceased operation in 1970, leaving fishing as the major commercial occupation, and with tourism limited to cruises on the Gordon River.

Environmental protests in 1982 over the plan to dam the Franklin River, and the declaration of a World Heritage Area in the adjacent wilderness, transformed Strahan yet again into the best place to begin your Western Wilderness Adventure.

West Coast ReflectionsAn award winning exhibition by Richard Flanagan, Robert Morris-Nunn and Kevin Perkins, interpreting the story of Macquarie Harbour from pre-history to the battle to save the Franklin River. Admission Adult $2 and Children $1. West Coast Visitor Information Centre Tel: (03) 6472 6800